Average speed cameras on M7

AndyBoBandy · 11-03-2021 06:11PM

What we need on certain motorways, like for instance the M50 is;

Average Speed checks, but in conjunction with variable speed limits.

Monday morning (in normal times), and the M50 is quite busy... reduce limit to 80 or 60
heavy congestion in parts.... reduce speed limit to 5-60 leading into the congestion to clear it quicker.....
Poor weather conditions.... reduce limit
off peak quiet periods... increase limit to 120

All limits strictly signposted, all limits strictly enforced...

Kind of like the M25 around London...

then other suitable sections of N/M roads get the same treatment, variable limits with average checks...

JustARandomGuy · 11-03-2021 06:21PM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

What we need on certain motorways, like for instance the M50 is;

Average Speed checks, but in conjunction with variable speed limits.

Monday morning (in normal times), and the M50 is quite busy... reduce limit to 80 or 60
heavy congestion in parts.... reduce speed limit to 5-60 leading into the congestion to clear it quicker.....
Poor weather conditions.... reduce limit
off peak quiet periods... increase limit to 120

All limits strictly signposted, all limits strictly enforced...

Kind of like the M25 around London...

then other suitable sections of N/M roads get the same treatment, variable limits with average checks...

"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

fryup · 11-03-2021 06:24PM

mohawk wrote: »

That particular section of the motorway is notorious for accidents.

when its wet, after a heavy downfall

Leonard Hofstadter · 11-03-2021 09:19PM

TheRef wrote: »

How bizarre that so many posters are advocating that the limit should be 130km/h or 140/h. I bet the same posters would be still complaining if the limit was 140km/h and advocating for 150km/h.

Really, what difference does 120 to 140 make? From Naas to Birdhill, travelling 140km/h rather than 120km/h will save you 10 mins, but still take 71 mins.

Under current rules, 140km/h would mean a potential 90km/h difference in vehicle speeds.

A trip from Cork to Dublin would be 18 minutes quicker at an average speed of 140 as opposed to 120 km/h, so it would be a net benefit of over 35 minutes on a round trip between our country's two biggest cities.

Hardly an insignificant time saving.

Hogzy · 11-03-2021 09:43PM

My biggest reason for keeping to the speed limit is purely for fuel consumption. My car is most efficient at around 110-120kph. I average around 5L per 100km at that speed.

Stovepipe · 11-03-2021 09:55PM

which is why so many cars are geared that way. I have a 1.9 Citroen and those figures are identical. 5 lts/100km is nearly 60 miles to the gallon. You can't beat economy like that.

newmember2 · 11-03-2021 09:56PM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

What we need on certain motorways, like for instance the M50 is;

Average Speed checks, but in conjunction with variable speed limits.

Monday morning (in normal times), and the M50 is quite busy... reduce limit to 80 or 60
heavy congestion in parts.... reduce speed limit to 5-60 leading into the congestion to clear it quicker.....
Poor weather conditions.... reduce limit
off peak quiet periods... increase limit to 120

All limits strictly signposted, all limits strictly enforced...

Kind of like the M25 around London...

then other suitable sections of N/M roads get the same treatment, variable limits with average checks...

The M50 pretty much does all that naturally anyway.

Ardent · 11-03-2021 10:12PM

Hell of a lot of grannies and Sunday drivers on this thread.

Hogzy · 11-03-2021 10:27PM

Ardent wrote: »

Hell of a lot of grannies and Sunday drivers on this thread.

We're not all cool dudes like you :rolleyes:

Darc19 · 11-03-2021 10:31PM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

What we need on certain motorways, like for instance the M50 is;

Average Speed checks, but in conjunction with variable speed limits.

Monday morning (in normal times), and the M50 is quite busy... reduce limit to 80 or 60
heavy congestion in parts.... reduce speed limit to 5-60 leading into the congestion to clear it quicker.....
Poor weather conditions.... reduce limit
off peak quiet periods... increase limit to 120

All limits strictly signposted, all limits strictly enforced...

Kind of like the M25 around London...

then other suitable sections of N/M roads get the same treatment, variable limits with average checks...

And your wish has been granted

Variable speed limits coming soon - a lot of the infrastructure is there.

Average speed detection will not be far behind.

In Belfast in the A1 they introduced variable speed cameras - several sets of them. You don't know if they are checking between set 1 & 2, or 2&5, or 1&4, or 4&5 etc.

Accident rates tumbled

irishgrover · 11-03-2021 10:32PM

Jeremy Beagle wrote:

The M18 was never a dual carriageway, it was designed and built as a motorway from the N19 junction to Tuam. It has no sharp bends on the mainline either, so stop talking bolloÃ§ks

1. There is no need for the bellend attitude
2. You are wrong

punisher5112 · 11-03-2021 10:45PM

Cruise at 130 no more no less ...

frozenfrozen · 11-03-2021 10:48PM

irishgrover wrote: »

1. There is no need for the bellend attitude
2. You are wrong

I'm not sure about the other part but where would you say the bends are? There are a few shallow exists alright

But I wouldnt say there's a lot of bends on the motorway itself other than the fact you can't just drive straight. Nothing youd need to adjust speed for though in my experience?

irishgrover · 12-03-2021 01:34AM

frozenfrozen wrote: »

I'm not sure about the other part but where would you say the bends are? There are a few shallow exists alright

But I wouldnt say there's a lot of bends on the motorway itself other than the fact you can't just drive straight. Nothing youd need to adjust speed for though in my experience?

the shallow exits leading directly to 90degree turns are numerous and have already directly resulted in significant and fatal accidents.
The more "bendy" parts of the road are north of Ennis, around Crusheen.
There are fine when driving at 120kmph. They would be dangerous at 140kmph in any type of adverse weather.
That road could not safely operate with a universal 140kmph limit.

Tomrota · 12-03-2021 01:36AM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

What we need on certain motorways, like for instance the M50 is;

Average Speed checks, but in conjunction with variable speed limits.

Monday morning (in normal times), and the M50 is quite busy... reduce limit to 80 or 60
heavy congestion in parts.... reduce speed limit to 5-60 leading into the congestion to clear it quicker.....
Poor weather conditions.... reduce limit
off peak quiet periods... increase limit to 120

All limits strictly signposted, all limits strictly enforced...

Kind of like the M25 around London...

then other suitable sections of N/M roads get the same treatment, variable limits with average checks...

I agree with most of this. However, there is no reason we can’t do over 120 on the M50 during off-peak night time hours. It’s such a shame to be limited to 100km/h in a car that’s designed to average 200+km/h on the Autobahn. If weather conditions are ideal and the time is 2am, speed limits should be much higher. Speed limit signs should be electronic. There is no one speed that is suitable for all hours and weather conditions.

pippip · 12-03-2021 02:39PM

Tomrota wrote: »

I agree with most of this. However, there is no reason we can’t do over 120 on the M50 during off-peak night time hours. It’s such a shame to be limited to 100km/h in a car that’s designed to average 200+km/h on the Autobahn. If weather conditions are ideal and the time is 2am, speed limits should be much higher. Speed limit signs should be electronic. There is no one speed that is suitable for all hours and weather conditions.

I don't agree, I hate the 100km/h stretch of the m50 but I wouldn't raise it. The road is just not built for it. Lane width is an issue for one and matched with some of the raised sections the cross winds can be very sudden and dangerous. There is absolutely no run off area in the centre medians either. If they ever felt they could safely raise the limit I'd only do it for lane 3 and leave lanes 1-2 as 100.

At the end of the day the junction layouts within the 100km/h stretch are just too close. Combined on and off ramps, like in this section, are just plain dangerous no matter what time of day it is. Especially since alot of them have traffic lights at the top of them meaning the flow of traffic is all at once instead of being more spread out.

punisher5112 · 12-03-2021 04:02PM

pippip wrote: »

I don't agree, I hate the 100km/h stretch of the m50 but I wouldn't raise it. The road is just not built for it. Lane width is an issue for one and matched with some of the raised sections the cross winds can be very sudden and dangerous. There is absolutely no run off area in the centre medians either. If they ever felt they could safely raise the limit I'd only do it for lane 3 and leave lanes 1-2 as 100.

At the end of the day the junction layouts within the 100km/h stretch are just too close. Combined on and off ramps, like in this section, are just plain dangerous no matter what time of day it is. Especially since alot of them have traffic lights at the top of them meaning the flow of traffic is all at once instead of being more spread out.

What????

pippip · 12-03-2021 04:16PM

punisher5112 wrote: »

What????

ah ffs ask a specific question about my post or don't post at all .... I hate stupid posts like that all over boards.

i57dwun4yb1pt8 · 13-03-2021 01:18AM

m50 could easily support 120 kmh off peak

Leonard Hofstadter · 13-03-2021 01:32AM

Oddly enough the M50 is one place where I wouldn't have a problem with speed limit enforcement. It's often way too busy for more than 100 (even if it was allowed) but more importantly, enforced variable speed limits smooth out the traffic flow, which actually means the average speed is higher and thus we get to where we want to quicker.

Too high a limit and you're right into queuing theory territory.

Off peak 120 would be fine for anyone that's capable of driving. It seems to be a uniquely Irish thing that somehow we're not capable of doing more than 100 km/h on anything more than a two-lane carriageway. The junctions layout and angles are certainly no worse than the M8 around Cashel, which has the full 120 limit (though of course is nowhere near as busy).

It also irks me the way the M8 just outside Cork is limited to 100 (outside of peak traffic hours of course so as to reduce congestion around the Jack Lynch Tunnel), it would be well capable of 120, yeah it's a bit twistier but not by much. I wouldn't allow more than that, though - whereas the rest of M8 would be fine for 140 if it was allowed (apart from the Cashel bypass).

newmember2 · 13-03-2021 02:07AM

pippip wrote: »

I don't agree, I hate the 100km/h stretch of the m50 but I wouldn't raise it. The road is just not built for it. Lane width is an issue for one and matched with some of the raised sections the cross winds can be very sudden and dangerous. There is absolutely no run off area in the centre medians either. If they ever felt they could safely raise the limit I'd only do it for lane 3 and leave lanes 1-2 as 100.

At the end of the day the junction layouts within the 100km/h stretch are just too close. Combined on and off ramps, like in this section, are just plain dangerous no matter what time of day it is. Especially since alot of them have traffic lights at the top of them meaning the flow of traffic is all at once instead of being more spread out.

What motorway has a "run off area in the centre median"??

Leonard Hofstadter wrote: »

Oddly enough the M50 is one place where I wouldn't have a problem with speed limit enforcement. It's often way too busy for more than 100 (even if it was allowed)...

Some of the M50 has a 120km/h speed limit, and I did see a speed van on the Northbound side after the Tallaght exit the other day - and think it's the first time I've ever seen a speed van on the 100km/h part.

punisher5112 · 13-03-2021 02:15AM

pippip wrote: »

ah ffs ask a specific question about my post or don't post at all .... I hate stupid posts like that all over boards.

Whatttttt

Damien360 · 13-03-2021 02:41AM

Leonard Hofstadter wrote: »

Oddly enough the M50 is one place where I wouldn't have a problem with speed limit enforcement. It's often way too busy for more than 100 (even if it was allowed) but more importantly, enforced variable speed limits smooth out the traffic flow, which actually means the average speed is higher and thus we get to where we want to quicker.

Too high a limit and you're right into queuing theory territory.

Off peak 120 would be fine for anyone that's capable of driving. It seems to be a uniquely Irish thing that somehow we're not capable of doing more than 100 km/h on anything more than a two-lane carriageway. ).

The M50 is plagued by middle lane slow moving traffic. I have regularly seen cars travelling at 80 towards the airport and trucks forced going up the inside. The N7/M7 is no better. Until lane discipline is enforced, I’m afraid 100 max is here to stay.

Also a unique problem with the M50 is the tendency of a lot but not all drivers coming on at entrances and immediately darting across all lanes into the far right. Not safely either. They have to be blind for at least 2 lanes. N7/N4/N3 north and southbound are terrible for it. So I agree with 100kmph on the M50 during peak hours.

Agree also with off peak 120 but only if variable speed signs gantries confirm the speeds, not time based as it will cause confusion and frustration for those that are aware.

Charles Babbage · 13-03-2021 03:17AM

Damien360 wrote: »

Also a unique problem with the M50 is the tendency of a lot but not all drivers coming on at entrances and immediately darting across all lanes into the far right. Not safely either. They have to be blind for at least 2 lanes. N7/N4/N3 north and southbound are terrible for it. So I agree with 100kmph on the M50 during peak hours.

They now have adjusted some of the lane markings to hazard markings. The next step should be cameras in the vicinity of these junctions. Anyone zipping across 3 lanes should get a ticket. It is well within the capacity of technology to have a program to identify such actions on a video then one person could review this and identify offenders.

Darc19 · 13-03-2021 09:32AM

Tomrota wrote: »

I agree with most of this. However, there is no reason we can’t do over 120 on the M50 during off-peak night time hours. It’s such a shame to be limited to 100km/h in a car that’s designed to average 200+km/h on the Autobahn. If weather conditions are ideal and the time is 2am, speed limits should be much higher. Speed limit signs should be electronic. There is no one speed that is suitable for all hours and weather conditions.

This is simply ridiculous.

#1 - many autobahns have speed limits now due to the number of crashes there were and the resultant fatalities

#2 - speed limits are not set based on just high performance cars and their drivers wanting to speed at 2am in the morning

#3 - likewise, limits are not set based on 80year old granny in her nissan Micra

M50 is set at 100kmh for most of its length due to several factors. The number of exits, the level of traffic and the topography.

You simply cannot set a limit for one type of car at a certain time in certain weather conditions.

HBC08 · 13-03-2021 10:14AM

ratracer wrote: »

The miserable €80 fine is not a deterrent to speeding in this country. It should be ramped up to €250 or more, then that would make some think twice about their speed.

BTW, I also think 120km/h is too low a limit on the motorway network, it could be raised to 140km/h safely.

You do realise there are penalty points for that offense too? Nobody cares about the €80.

I agree motorway speed should be 140km.

pippip · 13-03-2021 11:36AM

newmember? wrote: »

What motorway has a "run off area in the centre median"??

ratracer · 13-03-2021 03:40PM

HBC08 wrote: »

You do realise there are penalty points for that offense too? Nobody cares about the €80.

I agree motorway speed should be 140km.

Of course in aware of the penalty points...... it keeps my foot light.

But that is my point, nobody cares about the fine because it’s too small. Increase that, as well as the points and people might think twice about it.

ratracer · 13-03-2021 03:42PM

Also, I presume that, like a GATSO van, the camera only records the front number plate? Motorbikes will still have a free pass

Leonard Hofstadter · 13-03-2021 04:04PM

ratracer wrote: »

Also, I presume that, like a GATSO van, the camera only records the front number plate? Motorbikes will still have a free pass

The vans here can do rear number plates also - I know because my Mum got a speeding ticket years ago and it was clearly the back of the car they photographed.

Average speed cameras on M7

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